System and method for interactive messaging

ABSTRACT

A method and a system for providing convertible or interactive messaging between two or more users is provided. In an embodiment, a user sends a convertible message to another user. Such convertible messages can be sent using a communication means having two or more fields, ports, or the like. One of the fields, ports, or the like is used to identify the transmission as a convertible message. Another of the fields, ports, or the like is used to relay the text, icon, etc. of the message. Upon recognition of the convertible message, the receiving device allows for the display of the convertible message. The receiving user may manually accept to view the convertible message, and/or may view/not view the convertible message automatically upon receipt due to predefined rules.

COPYRIGHT AND LEGAL NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a messaging in which a usersends a message of a specific type to another user, which is convertedinto an alternate messaging event upon receipt of the message by thereceiving user. The present invention further relates to interactive orconvertible messaging events between users of a predefined preferredgroup of contacts.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices, such as wireless or cellular telephones, smart phones,portable computers, etc., are common communication tools in modernsociety. A wide variety of handset styles are available such as the“clam shell” flip-style mobile devices, the non-flip or “candy-bar”style mobile devices, and other mobile devices with pivoting displays.While the internal designs of the mobile devices may be quite different,each share common features: at least one display screen, vibration/soundability, and SMS/MMS/Email/Internet and such messaging access.

Many modern mobile device devices also incorporate organizational tools.Such commonly available organizational tools include call lists andaddress books, calendars, personal reminders, task lists, and otherinformation. The use of modern mobile devices has moved from theoriginal system of connecting two persons via a voice line to dataservices, such as text messaging, multimedia messaging (e.g. sharingdigital still and video files), taking digital photographs, listening toaudio files, and accessing the Internet. Remote communication betweenpersons has extended far past the basic voice line, and there continuesto be a growing need for efficient, useful forms of communication andinteractions with others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a quick, playful, andnon-intrusive interaction between a sending party and one or morereceiving parties. In an embodiment, an interactive or convertiblemessage is sent from a mobile device, a landline device, the Internet,or any other device capable of sending a convertible message, to oneand/or more receiving devices. Upon receipt, the convertible messagetriggers a messaging event on the receiving device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the interactive orconvertible message may be sent to one or more receiving devices toprivately communication or broadcast a message with or essentially with“one click.”

In an embodiment of the present invention, a convertible message isprovided as an option in the communication screen. For example, when asending user wishes to contact a second person, the user via the sendingdevice (from a mobile device, the Internet or other means) opens acontact file associated with that second person and clicks theappropriate communication icon (e.g., “Hello”). Upon receipt, thereceiving user's (i.e., the second person's) device may vibrate andpresent a further messaging event, such as displaying a photo, an icon,an animation, and/or text line, or play an audio file, among otherthings. In an embodiment, the receiving person's device may show a“hello” text box when the user via the receiving device clicks on themessage, clicks on the first person's contact icon, or another action.In an embodiment, the second person's device may be set to allow thealternate message “hello” screen or text to automatically appear whenreceived, eliminating any need for the second person to do anything butview the message. In an embodiment, the sending person's photo or otherimage/text is shown in a pop-up notification. In an embodiment, theconvertible message is compiled in a call log of the receiving device.In an embodiment, the convertible message is saved in the memory of thereceiving device. In an embodiment, the convertible message is savedand/or synched with a corresponding server, server database, remotelocation, Internet site, and/or Internet account.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the convertible message stylecan be changed at least one of automatically, dynamically, remotely,manually, etc. That is, a sending user can change the convertiblebehavior and select a different text, photo, video, etc. to display toan intended recipient. The convertible messaging event may be customizedor personalized to a specific intended recipient, or generally for allintended recipients. Different convertible messaging events can bepreset for each contact or only some contacts in an address book. Or, adefault convertible messaging event can be selected for all contacts inan address book, or for a specifiable subset of contacts in an addressbook. Such convertible messaging event customization can be effectedautomatically. For example, a specific text message of “good morning”can be set for all convertible messages being sent between 12:00 a.m.and 11:59 a.m., and a second text message of “good day” can be set forall convertible messages sent during the 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. timeperiod. Thus, at 12 a.m., the convertible messaging event isautomatically changed by the mobile device system (or carrier server,for example). Such convertible messaging event customization can beeffected dynamically. A sending party can choose the customization atthe time immediately preceding the transmission of the convertiblemessage. For example, a drop-down screen will provide alternativeconvertible messaging events (e.g., sounds, videos, images, lights,and/or a text box) which can the sending party can use to create a newmessage. Upon the sending user's selection, the convertible message isthen transmitted to the intended receiving device. Such convertiblemessaging event customization can be effected remotely. For example, auser can send a convertible message using the user's network account viaa computer or other device having some type of network accessibility.Likewise, the customization of the convertible messaging event can beset remotely in the user's network account via a computer or otherdevice having some type of network accessibility. Such convertiblemessaging event customization can also be effected manually, asexplained herein.

In an embodiment of the present invention, convertible messages can besent to contacts having different network providers.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortransmitting a convertible message to a receiving device is provided,including selecting at least one contact having an address; selectingthe convertible message to transmit to a receiving device; transmittingthe convertible message to the receiving device, wherein the selectingthe convertible message initiates a population of: a) an address fieldin the convertible message with the address of the at least one contact,and b) a trigger field in the convertible message with a conversiontrigger. In an embodiment, the conversion trigger is a character textstring. In an embodiment, the selecting the convertible messageincludes: selecting a type of message; and selecting a message content.In an embodiment, the message content is one of: a pre-defined messageand a customized message. In an embodiment, the pre-defined message isone of: a pre-selected message associated with a specific contact and amessage selectable from a provided list of defined messages. In anembodiment, the message content applies to all contacts of the at leastone contact, or to a specific contact of the at least one contact. In anembodiment, the message content is at least one of: text, an icon, ananimated icon, an animation, an image, an animated image, audio, and avideo. In an embodiment, the type of message is one of: a Short MessageService (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an Instant Message(IM), an electronic mail (E-mail), a transmission via Simple MailTransfer Protocol (SMTP), a transmission via Post Office Protocol (POP),a transmission via Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), atransmission via IP Multimedia Subsystem running over Standard InternetProtocols (IMS-SIP), a transmission via User Diagram Protocol (UDP), anda transmission via Internet Protocol (IP). In an embodiment, the addressis one of: an email address, International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI) address, an Internet Message Format (IMF), a Medium AccessControl (MAC) address, a telephone number, a network address, and adevice identification number. In an embodiment, the at least one contactis associated with a stored contact file in an address book of thetransmitting device and/or on a separate device, a server, a remotememory location, and a portable memory device. In an embodiment, thereceiving device is at least one of telecommunications-capable and IPprotocol-capable. In an embodiment, a transmitting device transmits theconvertible message to the receiving device, the transmitting devicebeing at least one of telecommunications-capable and IPprotocol-capable.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for receiving aconvertible message, including receiving a convertible message by areceiving device; identifying a conversion trigger in a trigger field inthe received convertible message; associating the conversion triggerwith at least one conversion rule in a database to provide a convertedconvertible message; and displaying the converted convertible message onthe receiving device. In an embodiment, the database resides on at leastone of: the receiving device, a server, and a network. In an embodiment,the displaying of the converted convertible message is a playing of anaudio file.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for sending andreceiving a convertible message, including a convertible message havingan address and a conversion trigger, the convertible message prepared bya transmitting device; a conversion rule stored in a database, theconversion rule being associated with the conversion trigger; and aconverted convertible message, such that when the convertible message istransmitted from a transmitting device to a receiving device, thereceiving device converts the convertible message into a convertedconvertible message based on the associated conversion rule and displaysthe converted convertible message.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the convertible messageincludes a message content. In an embodiment, the conversion trigger isa character text string. In an embodiment of the present invention, theconvertible message is one of: a Short Message Service (SMS), aMultimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an Instant Message (IM), anelectronic mail (E-mail), a transmission via Simple Mail TransferProtocol (SMTP), a transmission via Post Office Protocol (POP), atransmission via Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), a transmissionvia IP Multimedia Subsystem running over Standard Internet Protocols(IMS-SIP), a transmission via User Diagram Protocol (UDP), and atransmission via Internet Protocol (IP). In an embodiment, the convertedconvertible message includes at least one of: a text, an icon, ananimated icon, an animation, an image, an animated image, audio, and avideo. In an embodiment, the converted convertible message includes atleast one of: an animated waving hand, an animated waving hand with anaudio sound, a kiss icon, a kiss icon with an audio sound, a hug icon, ahug icon with an audio sound, an animated hug icon, and an animated hugicon with an audio sound. In an embodiment, each of the receiving deviceand the transmitting device is at least one oftelecommunications-capable and IP protocol-capable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example customization of a convertible message accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example transmission of a convertible message from thecommunications screen according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a convertible response message according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example convertible icon display according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example convertible MMS message according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example time stamp in an activity log according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example user interface with subject line, icon, and textaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example customization of convertible messaging accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an example user interaction sequence to customize types ofa message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an example user interface interaction sequence with acontact according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an example user interface interaction sequence forreceiving contact according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an example user interface interaction sequence forreceiving contact from a source not known to the receiver's address bookaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an example user interface interaction sequence forcustomizing a contact according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 shows an example user interface interaction sequence forreceiving a convertible message according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 shows an example user interface interaction sequence for storingcontact messages and an associated activity log according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an example user interface interaction sequence for storingcontact messages and an associated message inbox according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, a user may send a convertible message or “one-click”message via any available messaging means having at least two fields.One field would be set to alert or trigger the user interface or otheraction of the receiving device that the received message is aconvertible message or “one-click” message. The second or more fields orports would include the message itself. As discussed herein, the messagemay be preset and/or personalized, and include one or more of text,icon, image, photo, video, sound, sound effect, voice recording,animation, etc. Further, the message could initiate a vibration orshaking of the receiving device. In an embodiment, use of presetmessages can ease transmission involving multiple software platformsand/or networks.

For example, a user may send a message through any available messagingmeans, e.g., MMS, SMS, IM, email (via a variety of protocols, e.g.,SMTP, POP, IMAP, IMF, IMS-SIP (session based), UDP, etc.) That is, whilesome of the figures describe an example convertible messaging system ormethod involving use of MMS, such is for example purposes. Theconvertible messaging system can use any of a variety of messagingmethods, as determined by the user, receiver's network provider,sender's network provider, user's sending device, receiver's sendingdevice, etc. For example, a convertible messaging system may useIMS-SIP, and establish a session between two users to allow forone-click messaging according to the various embodiments describedherein. In an IMS, pings are sent between a sending device to a networkto a receiving device regarding availability before the convertiblemessage is transmitted. For example, a convertible messaging system mayuse SMS in which two or more ports can be used. One of the ports cancontain the convertible message header container and the second port canbe used to contain the content. In the content, the text can indicatehow to direct and how things should be displayed on the receivingdevice. For example, a convertible messaging system may use Email or thelike via an IP protocol, e.g. SMTP, POP (pull from client), IMF (pushesto client), etc. For example, a convertible messaging system may useSyncML (OMA) by, e.g., populating a vcard with an icon, text, etc. andprovide that one field is the “hello” or trigger field to indicate thatit is a convertible message.

Or, for example, a convertible messaging system may use MMS in which theapplication identification is sent along with a subject line.Alternatively, a convertible messaging system may use MMS to send alongan application identification, application attribute field (e.g., how touse the data—e.g., if image then animate, etc.), and content. In anembodiment, a user sends an MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) toanother user. The MMS contains a subject line which is automaticallyfilled when the user selects to send a convertible message. When areceiving user's device receives the MMS, the receiving device reads thesubject line of the MMS (or field/port/pipe/communication line of theSMS, Email, or other messaging means as described above with respect todifferent embodiments of the present invention) and identifies thesubject line contents as indicating the specific convertible messagingsystem. Upon recognition of the subject line contents, the receivingdevice allows for the display of the convertible message event. Thereceiving user may/may not manually accept to view the convertiblemessage, or may view/not view the convertible message automatically uponreceipt due to predefined rules. In a further embodiment, a sending usermay select among a preferred contact group to whom to send a convertiblemessage. A user interface may be provided from a sending user homepageto display an option for sending a convertible message. In anembodiment, the line text may be limited to a specific number ofcharacters, e.g., 15 characters or less so as to best fit most mobiledevice screensizes.

In an embodiment, from a server's perspective, a variety of situationsmay occur. For example, if the communication is Internet initiated, thena url is used, and a “hello” or convertible message is web-pushed. Or,for example, if the communication is mobile device initiated, thereceiving mobile device pulls the “hello” or convertible message fromthe server. Or, for example, if Bluetooth technology is used, then the“hello” or convertible message is sent from device to device. A numberof different scenarios can be used with respect to embodiments of thepresent invention which allow for convertible messaging between a deviceand the Internet, a device and a server, a device and a second device,etc. In an embodiment, a barcode, a three-dimensional barcode, and/ormatrix barcode may be used in conjunction with the other embodimentsdescribed herein. In this embodiment, a coupon or other item is obtainedafter pushing the barcode to get the link.

In an embodiment, use of a subset or selected contact group mayfacilitate quick and easy selection of a contact from among an array ofthe user's contacts (as designated by the user), followed by quick andeasy application selection from a variety of communications modes,including single-click initiation of a communication mode of a defaultcontact or a default communication mode. See, for example, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/400,925, filed on Apr. 10, 2006, entitled“Preferred Contact Group Centric Interface,” the entirety of which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. Inan example embodiment, a display of five contacts or, for example,myFaves® contacts, is presented on an idle screen of the user'scommunication device, with photo or image icons representing each of thecontact. The user may initiate a communication mode for a pre-selecteddefault contact with a single click, or may swiftly traverse through hisor her contacts using navigation keys configured for such purpose (e.g.,up/down/left/right keys) until the desired contact is highlighted, thenmay initiate a pre-selected default communication to the highlightedcontact simply by pressing the designated default key on thecommunication device or may traverse through numerous othercommunications modes that are available to communicate with the selectedcontact (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, photo messaging, SMS, MMS)simply by using navigation keys configured for such purpose (e.g.,up/down/left/right keys) and then pressing a designated selection buttonon the communication device.

Although many of the example embodiments illustrated in the figures showa grouping of five contacts related to an interface, the exact number ofcontacts is represented here for exemplary purposes and may be anynumber of contacts (e.g., 1, 2, 7, 10, 20, 100, etc) which can beemployed individually or as part of groups (e.g., “Study Group”identifying a group of one or more contacts). Further, herein, the termcommunication device is intended to cover a wide variety of devices suchas, for example, mobile device type devices, PDA/PIM style devices, aswell as other devices that include communication facilities. In anotherembodiment, the user's contacts can be a Web-enabled page that isdownloaded from a network connection such as a Web page or a WAP page,possibly including active X, Java, Flash, or some other scripting orexecutable format that provides a uniform interaction on all similarcommunications devices. Contacts can be managed through the Web, or WAP,other over-the-air transport technology, a cable interface with thedevice or other connection to another device (e.g., personal computer).

FIGS. 1, 10, and 13 show an example interface (100) for customizing aconvertible message. For purposes of this example, an MMS is used,however, as described above, any number of transmission methods and/orsystems may be used. In customizing an exemplary message, a convertiblefunction is provided for a specific contact. In an embodiment, theconvertible messaging function enables a construction and customizationof a contact specific wave message 802. A screen shot of an exampleoptions manual 102 is shown. The user may select to send a convertiblemessage by selecting the customize wave function. After selecting theoptions screen, a number of customizations 104 are possible. Acustomization can be selected by traversing through the list ofavailable customizations for the Wave message and pressing the “selectkey”, or by pressing the corresponding number on the keypad. Theillustrated customizations for the convertible message include create acustom wave (“1. Create custom wave”), change to a kiss (“2. Change to akiss”), change to a hug (“3. Change to a hug”), change to a wave (“4.Change to a wave”) 104. In an embodiment, a convertible messagingfunction composes an MMS with text, for each customizable wave option.For example, for a change to a wave, the corresponding text is “I'mwaving hello”; for Change to a kiss, the corresponding text is “I'msending a kiss”; for Change to a Hug, the corresponding text is “I'msending a hug”; and for Create custom wave: MMS text is “<user custommessage>”. These example set texts associated with set icon may be anynumber of texts/icons set. In an embodiment, certain convertiblemessaging options may be predefined as available for only certaincontacts. In an embodiment, a user may access their contact list orphonebook 1004 to search for the group of eligible users capable ofreceiving certain convertible messages. In an embodiment, theconvertible messaging function may be made available to only to myFaves®users.

Selecting different messaging options for the convertible messageenables the function to remember user selections for a specific contact.For example, the default message for Robert, a myFave® contact, may be“Wave Hello”. If the user selects “Send a kiss” 1302 as the messageassociated with Robert, then “Send a kiss” replaces “Wave Hello” untilotherwise changed by the user 1304. If the user chose hug, thepredefined text in this example would recite “Send a hug”. In anembodiment, the text may be displayed 1306 contextually based on messagetype sent, e.g.: “A wave was sent”, “A custom wave was sent”, “A kisswas sent”, “A hug was sent”.

In an embodiment, the convertible messaging function allows a user toselect from predefined text strings or customize their own text for aconvertible message associated with a specific contact. If the user doesnot select anything before sending a convertible message text, a defaulttext string will be selected. If the user changes the convertiblemessage text, the convertible message or “hello” function remembers theselected text message that corresponds to the affiliated contact withinthe contact group. For example, the convertible messaging functiondisplays a label on the Communications screen to indicate the “Wave”text selection when the “Send Wave” option is highlighted 106. Forexample, if Wave is selected, the label may be: “Wave Hello”; if Kiss isselected, the label may be: “Send a Kiss”; if Hug is selected, the labelmay be: “Send a Hug”; if Custom wave is selected, the label may bewhatever the user inputs as text. For example, in selected Custom wave,a popup screen or other user interface may allow for a user to input thetext to be used. In an example embodiment, FIG. 9 provides an overviewof various user screens which may change as various messages are changedand sent to the recipient.

FIG. 2 illustrates sending a Wave message from the communicationsscreen. Screen shot 202 displays a user interface for selection of acontact from a group of contacts. In example screenshot 202, thedimensions of the graphical icon (a photo in this case) are larger forthe selected contact than the other non-selected contacts. Textidentifying the selected contact's name is included around the bottomline of the graphical display. A user may select further menu optionsassociated with any particular user on the circular contact group. Inthe present embodiment, an “OK” selection 202 for Robert results ingeneration of additional functions on the communication screen. A usermay perform a plurality of tasks associated with Robert's profile. Onesuch function is the Wave Hello function 210, which allows users to senda wave via the communications screen 204. In the present embodiment, theuser scrolls toward the convertible messaging function 210, thecommunication screen displays the default message, or alternatively, thepreviously selected Wave MMS text message, for example, is now displayedfor sending current text message 206. Next, the user may select to sendthe message as is 208 or make additional customizations through steps102 through 106. The convertible messaging function operates to composeand send a Wave MMS, for example, in the background when a user selectsto send a wave. For example, during the construction of the convertiblemessage, the convertible messaging function uses a default waiving handicon, which may be provided by the service provider as a Wave micro icondisplay. The convertible messaging function affiliates the message withthe wave micro icon display. In an embodiment, the micro icon may bepre-stored on the device itself, or downloaded from the serviceprovider. The waiving hand icon or a Wave micro icon display can beGIF87a or GIF89a format when composing the Wave MMS and file size, forexample, may be limited to a set size, e.g., about 20 kilobytes.

In an embodiment, the convertible messaging function displays aconfirmation to the user when a convertible message has been sent 208.The convertible messaging function stores the outgoing Wave MMS, forexample, in the sent box during the sending process. An indicator may bedisplayed in the sent box to show that send is in progress. In anembodiment, once a convertible message has successfully been sent, theconvertible messaging function removes it from the Sent box. That is,sent convertible messages are not stored in the Sent box. In anembodiment, if a convertible message failed to send, the device retainsthis message in the Sent box with a visual indicator showing that sendfailed. The device may allow users to retry sending failed convertiblemessages from the Sent box. In an embodiment, during this mode, thedevice does not allow users to edit the convertible message in the Sentbox, however, the device can allow a user to delete failed convertiblemessages in the Sent box. In an embodiment, a timestamp of a sentconvertible message is recorded in the activities log (FIG. 6).

Each of the above-described idle screens permits the user to change themessage associated with currently-selected contact by traversing thegroup of contacts in the user's contact group via the various navigationbuttons/interfaces on the communication device (e.g., a wirelesscommunication device, a PDA or PIN style device, etc.). A variety ofgraphical effects can be applied to the display screen when the usertraverses the group of contacts appearing in the interface, such as ananimated rotation effect, a picture swap effect, a fade-in effect, afade-out effect, a fly-in effect, a fly-out effect, a dissolve-ineffect, a dissolve-out effect, a spiral-in effect, a spiral-out effect,a slide-in effect, and a slide-out effect.

The preferred contact group centric interface that is described hereinis described in terms of navigation/selection buttons and keys on amobile device, as well as other specially designated selectors that areused for initiating and canceling, e.g., telephone calls. However, anyappropriate navigation/selection means is contemplated within the scopeof this discussion including, but not limited to a keypad, a directionalkey, a dynamically assigned soft key, a joypad-style interface, ajoystick-style interface, a trackball-style interface, a touch screentype interface, and a stylus type interface. Other means ofnavigation/selection can include side key push and hold, speechrecognition, and motion recognition.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a Waving back or response to the exampleWave MMS sender. For example, the convertible messaging function on therecipient displays a special notification on the idle screen when a new“hello” or convertible message is received 308. In an embodiment, thesame notification may be used regardless of whether or not the sender isone of receiver's contacts. Alternatively, different notifications maybe used. In an embodiment, the convertible messaging function determineswhether the sender is a member of the recipient's contact list. Here, asshown, if the sender is within the receiver's contact list, the sender'scontact photo is displayed along with an animated micro icon 306 and themessage created by the sender. The recipient may select to dismiss themessage or wave back on the bottom of the communication screen. Shouldthe user select to wave back, a corresponding convertible message issent from the original recipient to the original sender. In anembodiment, the convertible messaging function keeps detailed recordsbased upon the received convertible message(s). FIG. 5 shows that allreceived convertible messages may be stored in the message Inbox.Received convertible messages from the contacts list may be captured inthe activities log as well in order to record a time stamp for when theconvertible message is received.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example Wave micro icon display. In an embodiment,when a new convertible message is received and the sender of the messageis on the recipient's myFave® contact list, the convertible messagingfunction displays a micro icon. In an embodiment, the icon is ananimation such as a waving hand 402 below the contact's photo or imageicon 404 on the idle screen. In an embodiment, this is applicable if thesender's contact icon is not hidden. During the receiving process, whenthe contact icon 404 is in the center circle position 410, the embeddedtext of the received convertible message, which may be limited to apredefined character length or memory size, is displayed below thecontact's icon and name 406. In another embodiment, when an incomingconvertible message arrives while the contact icon is away from thecenter circle position 412, the client screen displays an animatedwaving hand icon below that particular contact's contact icon 408. Asshown, the animated icon 408 adjacent to a remotely located myFave®contact icon 412 away from the center circle position (410) waves apredetermined amount of time to notify the recipient. The animationautomatically stops when the contact icon is moved into circle position410. In an embodiment, the convertible messaging function removes thewaving hand micro icon and the message text from the idle screenpermanently if the user enters the communication screen for the contactthat sent the wave 700. The convertible messaging function removes thewaving hand micro icon and the message text from the idle screenpermanently if the user selects to “Wave back,” for example, from thenew message notification pop up 302, 306, 304, and 308.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary Message Inbox for a user device. In anembodiment, the convertible messaging function stores receivedconvertible message, or, as shown here, a Wave MMS, in the device Inbox.An icon 502 is provided by service provider to indicate the message is aconvertible message. FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary interface for aMessage Inbox. The received convertible messages are stored in themessaging inbox 1600 and are identified by Wave icons 1602. To savestorage space on the user device, sent “hellos,” “Waves,” and/or otherconvertible message(s) may be set to be not recorded in the outbox afterthey are successfully sent. The user may select to view a specificconvertible message in the Inbox 1604. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 16, theconvertible messaging function generates another interface in responseto “viewing” input. This interface includes displaying of sender's name1606, the message 1608, and the time of the receipt of message 1610. Ifthe sender is within the user's contact list, a response or “Wave back”option 1612 is available to the user, where a corresponding wave messagemay be constructed and reply to the sender (102, 104, and 106).

As may be desired in an interface, the “Back” key feature 1614 canpermit the user to dismiss the communication options menu and return toa prior screen such as the idle display screen. Similar to thatdiscussed previously, the preferred contact group centric interfaceautomatically retrieves addressing information for any of the selectedcommunication modes such that activation of a communication mode onlyrequires a single click.

Although the above-described example communication options menu isarranged in a circular or elliptical arrangement that rotates about acentral axis on the screen, other arrangements are also available suchas a linear list, a vertical list, a horizontal list, a diagonal list, acircular shape, a semi-circular shape, an elliptical shape, a triangularshape, a diamond shape, a U-shape, an L-shape, a square shape, aquadrilateral shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, anothergeometric patterned shape, a two-dimensional pattern, and athree-dimensional pattern. While the above description of thecommunication options menu is described with a rotation about a centralaxis, graphical effects can also be used such as an animation effect, ahighlight effect, a fade-in effect, a fade-out effect, a fly-in effect,a fly-out effect, a dissolve-in effect, a dissolveout effect, aspiral-in effect, a spiral-out effect, a slide-in effect, and aslide-out effect.

The above-described example is illustrated having a bottom centerlocation of the display screen which corresponds to the currentlyselected communication mode. In embodiments, any other screen locationmay also be utilized for the currently selected communication mode.Moreover, the graphical icons can remain stationary in another example,where a graphical indicator of the currently selected communication modemoves about the screen. The graphical indicator can be any desiredeffect such as a highlight effect, a selection box, an inverse videoeffect, etc.

FIGS. 6 and 15 show an example interface interaction sequence forstoring convertible messages associated with an Activity Log 1500.Selecting “Activity Log” from the communication options menu activates acommunications activity log interface that is associated with theselected contact. Communication activities for the selected contact arethen displayed on the screen. The Activity Log 1500 can include anynumber of activities such as, for example, time and date of calls, textmessages, voice notes, pictures received. The Activity Log interface isillustrated with a “Back” key feature that permits returning to a priorscreen such as the communication options menu. Additional options canalso be available from the Activity Log interface such as “clearhistory”, as well as others. In an embodiment, the convertible messagingfunction record a time stamp of each Wave message that is received 1504and sent 1502 in the Activity Log associated with each contact. In anembodiment, when multiple convertible messages are received from thesame sender, and the sender is within the contact list of the recipient,the convertible messaging function displays the latest message text whenthe sender's contact icon is in the center circle position on the idlescreen 406.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 14 show example embodiments of the present inventionfor a user receiving a convertible message. In an embodiment, when thedevice receives, e.g., an MMS message, it will download the message 1102before displaying a notification pop-up on the idle screen. Theconvertible messaging function determines whether the incoming MMSmessage is a convertible message, in accordance with the presentembodiment, this can be done by parsing the message for the “hello” orconvertible message icon, body of the message itself, and/or predefinedspecial subject line of the MMS, field line of an email, port of an SMS,etc. For example, an MMS message is considered by the recipient if themessage subject is “Wave Hello” 1104 (as shown for example purposes herein this embodiment). In an embodiment, when the device's audio profileis set to normal, the convertible messaging function instantiatescorresponding functions on the user device to play an audio alert andvibrate when a new convertible message or “hello” is received. The typeof audio alert theme and the degree of vibration may be selected by theuser. During the receiving process, the convertible messaging functionfurther determines whether the sender is a part of the recipient'smyFave® contact list. If the sender is a part of the myFave® contactlist, the convertible messaging function may be configured to retrievethe myFave® sender's photo or image icon 1106, and/or animate a microicon that is associated with the incoming message 1108, and/or displaythe incoming message 1104. In an embodiment, the recipient has theoption of waving back at the sender in the present embodiment. In anembodiment, the animation of the micro icon lasts for a predeterminedamount of time. In an embodiment, a non-myFave® can also send therecipient convertible messages, however there are less featuresaffiliated with that configuration. For example, a sender's photo orimage icon 1202, if available, is retrieved from the device. Theanimating micro icon 1204 and the incoming convertible message 1206 aredisplayed on the communication screen 1200. In an embodiment, theresponse of “Wave back” feature 1110 is disabled for non-myFave® users.In accordance with this aspect of the embodiment, “Reply” using aregular message composer (not shown) replaces the Wave back feature 1110when the waved is received from a non-myFaves® contact.

In an embodiment, when the device receives a convertible message, thecommunication screen displays a special notification pop up in the idlescreen 1402. If the sender of the convertible message has an affiliatedentry in the device phonebook, the convertible messaging functiondisplays the affiliated name in the new message notification popup onthe idle screen 1404. Alternatively, if the sender of the convertiblemessage does not have an affiliated name in device phonebook, theconvertible messaging function will display the sender's MobileSubscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN) in thenew message notification pop up on the idle screen. In an embodiment,the convertible messaging function displays up to 15 characters of thetext that is embedded in the convertible message in the new messagenotification on the idle screen 1112. During the display process, anon-centered myFave® contact may also receive a convertible message. Thecorresponding Wave micro icon animation is generated and displayed onthe communication screen 1114.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, theconvertible messaging function supports a dismiss softkey 1116 on thenotification pop up for a new convertible message. The dismiss softkeydismiss the notification when selected 1116 and results in anotherscreen either replaces the current screen or overlays the current screenwith the home screen 1118. For example, the waving hand micro icon 1114may still be displayed even after the user has dismissed thenotification pop up 1100. In an embodiment, the convertible messagingfunction, upon receiving the convertible message support a “Wave back”or response softkey 1110 in the notification pop up 1100 on the idlescreen if the sender of the convertible message is one of the user'smyFave® group. In an embodiment, when selected, the “Wave back” orresponse softkey composes and sends a convertible message to the earliersender. The convertible messaging function displays a confirmation touser 1120 after a convertible message has been sent via the “Wave back”or response softkey in the idle screen. The confirmation indicates whatkind of message was sent. (e.g., custom wave, kiss, hug, other).Alternatively, the convertible messaging function also supports a“Reply” softkey in the notification pop up on the idle screen if thesender of the convertible message is not one of user's Faves or on thereceiver's contact list or identified as not needing a convertiblemessage sent back. The user can press the “Reply” key (e.g., the leftbutton on the joypad, an “OK” button, or some other button). In anembodiment, when selected, the “Reply” softkey takes the user to theintuitive composer screen. If intuitive composer is not supported,“Reply” takes the user to the SMS or email or MMS or other composer inorder to respond to the convertible message.

The subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific features, or specific implementations describedabove. Many other configurations of computing devices, communicationsfeatures, applications, and distributed software and/or hardware systemsmay be employed to implement the described invention. The specificfeatures and methods described above are thus disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims and embodiments. Further, the exampleembodiments described herein may be used in combination with and withouteach other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting a convertible messageto a receiving device, comprising: selecting at least one contact havingan address; selecting the convertible message to transmit to a receivingdevice; transmitting the convertible message to the receiving device,wherein the selecting the at least one contact initiates population ofan address field of a specific transmission method, and wherein theselecting the convertible message initiates a population of: a) amessage content, and b) a trigger field in the convertible message witha conversion trigger by reading a subject line of the specifictransmission method, wherein the subject line contents indicate theconvertible message.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversiontrigger is a character text string.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe selecting the convertible message includes: selecting the specifictransmission message method; and selecting the message content.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the message content is one of: a pre-definedmessage and a customized message.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thepre-defined message is one of: a pre-selected message associated with aspecific contact and a message selectable from a provided list ofdefined messages.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the message contentapplies to all contacts of the at least one contact, or to a specificcontact of the at least one contact.
 7. The method of claim 3, whereinthe message content is at least one of: text, an icon, an animated icon,an animation, an image, an animated image, audio, and a video.
 8. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the specific transmission method is one of: aShort Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), anInstant Message (IM), an electronic mail (E-mail), a transmission viaSimple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), a transmission via Post OfficeProtocol (POP), a transmission via Internet Message Access Protocol(IMAP), a transmission via IP Multimedia Subsystem running over StandardInternet Protocols (IMS-SIP), a transmission via User Diagram Protocol(UDP), and a transmission via Internet Protocol (IP).
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the address is one of: an email address, InternationalMobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) address, an Internet Message Format(IMF), a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, a telephone number, anetwork address, and a device identification number.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one contact is associated with a storedcontact file in an address book of the transmitting device.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is at least one oftelecommunications-capable and IP protocol-capable.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitting device transmits the convertiblemessage to the receiving device, the transmitting device being at leastone of telecommunications-capable and IP protocol-capable.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the specific transmission method is one ofany available messaging means having at least two fields, the triggerfield and at least one field to include the message content, wherein thetrigger field includes the conversion trigger to initiate actionappropriate for the convertible message.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the specific transmission method is an MMS and the conversiontrigger is a trigger convertible message header.
 15. The method of claim1, wherein different convertible messaging events are preset for eachcontact or a specified group of contacts.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein a convertible messaging event can be customized with anautomatic message, such that a first message can be sent during a firstspecified time period, and a second message can be sent during a secondspecified time period automatically depending on the time of day theconvertible message is sent.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thereceiving device either (i) manually accepts, or (ii) automaticallyaccepts to view the convertible message upon receipt.
 18. A method forreceiving a convertible message, comprising: receiving a convertiblemessage by a receiving device via a communications path; identifying bythe receiving device a conversion trigger in a trigger field in thereceived convertible message having a message content; associating theconversion trigger with at least one conversion rule in a database toprovide a converted convertible message; and displaying the convertedconvertible message on the receiving device.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the database resides on at least one of: the receiving device, aserver, and a network.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thedisplaying of the converted convertible message is a playing of an audiofile.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the conversion trigger is acharacter text string.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the convertedconvertible message includes at least one of: a text, an icon, ananimated icon, an animation, an image, an animated image, audio, and avideo.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the convertible message isone of: a Short Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS), an Instant Message (IM), an electronic mail (E-mail), atransmission via Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), a transmissionvia Post Office Protocol (POP), a transmission via Internet MessageAccess Protocol (IMAP), a transmission via IP Multimedia Subsystemrunning over Standard Internet Protocols (IMS-SIP), a transmission viaUser Diagram Protocol (UDP), and a transmission via Internet Protocol(IP).
 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the converted convertiblemessage includes at least one of: an animated waving hand, an animatedwaving hand with an audio sound, a kiss icon, a kiss icon with an audiosound, a hug icon, a hug icon with an audio sound, an animated hug icon,and an animated hug icon with an audio sound.
 25. A system for sendingand receiving a convertible message, comprising: a convertible messagehaving an address, a conversion trigger, and a message content, theconvertible message prepared by a transmitting device, wherein theconvertible message uses a messaging service; a conversion rule storedin a database, the conversion rule being associated with the conversiontrigger by reading a subject line of the messaging service, the subjectline contents indicating the convertible message; and a convertedconvertible message, wherein when the convertible message is transmittedfrom a transmitting device to a receiving device, the receiving deviceconverts the convertible message into a converted convertible messagebased on the associated conversion rule and displays the convertedconvertible message including the message content.
 26. The system ofclaim 25, wherein the convertible message is one of: a Short MessageService (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an Instant Message(IM), an electronic mail (E-mail), a transmission via Simple MailTransfer Protocol (SMTP), a transmission via Post Office Protocol (POP),a transmission via Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), atransmission via IP Multimedia Subsystem running over Standard InternetProtocols (IMS-SIP), a transmission via User Diagram Protocol (UDP), anda transmission via Internet Protocol (IP).
 27. The system of claim 25,wherein the conversion trigger is a character text string.
 28. Thesystem of claim 25, wherein the converted convertible message includesat least one of: a text, an icon, an animated icon, an animation, animage, an animated image, audio, and a video.
 29. The system of claim25, wherein the converted convertible message includes at least one of:an animated waving hand, an animated waving hand with an audio sound, akiss icon, a kiss icon with an audio sound, a hug icon, a hug icon withan audio sound, an animated hug icon, and an animated hug icon with anaudio sound.
 30. The system of claim 25, wherein each of the receivingdevice and the transmitting device is at least one oftelecommunications-capable and IP protocol-capable.
 31. A method fortransmitting a convertible message to a receiving device, comprising:selecting at least one contact having an address; selecting theconvertible message to transmit to a receiving device, wherein theconvertible message uses IP Multimedia Subsystem running over StandardInternet Protocols (IMS-SIP) to establish a session between at least twoentities; transmitting the convertible message to the receiving deviceby sending pings between a receiving device, a network, and a sendingdevice regarding availability before the convertible message istransmitted, wherein the selecting the at least one contact initiatespopulation of an address field of the IMS-SIP, and wherein the selectingthe convertible message initiates a population of: a) a message content,and b) a trigger field in the convertible message with a conversiontrigger.
 32. A method for transmitting a convertible message to areceiving device, comprising: selecting at least one contact having anaddress; selecting the convertible message to transmit to a receivingdevice, wherein the convertible message uses Short Message Service (SMS)having at least a first port and a second port; transmitting theconvertible message to the receiving device, wherein the selecting theat least one contact initiates population of an address field of theSMS, and wherein the selecting the convertible message initiates apopulation of: a) a message content, and b) a trigger field in theconvertible message with a conversion trigger in which the first portcontains a convertible message header container and the second portcontains the content such that the content indicates how to direct anddisplay the convertible message on the receiving device.